ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Union Cabinet approves allotment of 4G/5G Spectrum to BSNL
Third revival package outlay stands at Rs.89,047 crore
Authorized Capital of BSNL to be increased from Rs.1,50,000 crore to Rs.2,10,000 crore
In a significant move, as part of the revival strategy, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the third revival package for BSNL with the total outlay of Rs. 89,047 crore. It includes allotment of 4G/5G spectrum for BSNL through equity infusion.
The authorized capital of BSNL will be increased from Rs. 1,50,000 crore to Rs. 2,10,000 crore.
With this revival package, BSNL will emerge as a stable telecom service provider focused on providing connectivity to remotest parts of India.
The details of spectrum are as follows:
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Band
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Spectrum allotted
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Budgetary support
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700 MHz
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10 MHz paired in 22 LSAs
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Rs. 46,338.60 Cr
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3300 MHz
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70 MHz in 22 LSAs
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Rs. 26,184.20 Cr
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26 GHz
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800 MHz in 21 LSAs and 650 MHz in 1 LSA
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Rs. 6,564.93 Cr
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2500 MHz
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20 MHz in 6 LSAs and 10 MHz in 2 LSAs
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Rs. 9,428.20 Cr
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Miscellaneous items
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Rs. 531.89 Cr
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Total
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Rs. 89,047.82 Cr
With this spectrum allotment, BSNL will be able to:
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- Provide pan India 4G and 5G services.
- Provide 4G coverage in rural and uncovered villages under various connectivity projects.
- Provide Fixed Wireless Access  services for high-speed internet.
- Provide services/spectrum for Captive Non-Public Network .
BSNL/MTNL revival:
- Government had approved the first revival package for BSNL/MTNL in 2019. It amounted to Rs. 69,000 Crore and brought stability in BSNL/MTNL.
- In 2022, Government approved second revival package for BSNL/MTNL amounting to Rs. 1.64 Lakh Crore. It provided financial support for capex, viability gap funding for rural landlines, financial support for de-stressing the balance sheet, and settlement of AGR dues, merger of BBNL with BSNL, etc.
- As a result of these two packages, BSNL has started earning operating profits since FY 2021-22. Total debt of BSNL has reduced from Rs. 32,944 Crore to Rs. 22,289 Crore.
- Key financials of BSNL are as follows:
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FY 2020-21
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FY 2021-22
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FY 2022-23
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Revenue
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18,595 Cr
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19,053 Cr
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20,699 Cr
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Operating profit
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1,177 Cr
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944 Cr
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1,559 Cr
- BSNL has achieved strong growth in home fiber segment. It is providing more than 1 Lakh new connections every month. Total home fiber subscriber base of BSNL in May 2023 is 30.88 Lakh. Total revenue from home fiber last year was Rs. 2,071 Crore.
Indigenous 4G/5G technology
- Telecom technology is a strategic technology with a limited number of end-to-end technology providers in the world.
- Under the Atmanirbhar vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s own 4G/5G technology stack has been successfully developed.
- Deployment has started. After a few months of field deployment, it will be rapidly rolled out across the country on BSNL network.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the passing away of noted Sanskrit scholar Pandit Rewa Prasad Dwivedi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the passing away of noted Sanskrit scholar, Pandit Rewa Prasad Dwivedi Ji.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "संस्कृत की महान विभूति महामहोपाध्याय पं. रेवा प्रसाद द्विवेदी जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख पहुंचा है। उन्होंने साहित्य और शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में कई प्रतिमान गढ़े। उनका जाना समाज के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है। शोक की इस घड़ी में उनके परिजनों और प्रशंसकों को मेरी संवेदनाएं। ओम शांति!"
Ministry of Finance
DPE brings out 60th annual Public Enterprises Survey 2019-20
The Department of Public Enterprises , Ministry of Finance, Government of India annually brings out the Public Sector Enterprises Survey on the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises . The Public Enterprises Survey 2019-20 has been laid in the Lok Sabha on 6th August, 2021 and in the Rajya Sabha on 9th August, 2021 respectively.
The Public Enterprises  Survey 2019-20 is the 60th in the series. PE Survey which is a 100% enumeration of the CPSE universe, captures essential statistical data for all CPSEs on various financial and physical parameters. PE Survey divides CPSEs into five sectors namely Agriculture, Mining & Exploration, Manufacturing, Processing & Generation, Services, and Enterprises Under Construction and further into 21 cognate groups. The Survey covers those CPSE’s wherein Government of India holds more than 50% equity. Subsidiaries of these companies, if registered in India, in which CPSE has more than 50% equity stake are also categorised as CPSEs. As per the PE Survey 2019-20 as on 31st March, 2020 there are 256 operational CPSEs.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Highlights of the performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises , during 2019-20 are as under:
- Total Paid-up Capital in all CPSEs as on 31.3.2020 stood at Rs 3,10,737 crore.
- Total Financial Investment in all CPSEs was Rs 21,58,877 crore.
- Capital Employed in all CPSEs was Rs 31,16,455 crore.
- Gross Revenue from Operations of 256 operating CPSEs during the Financial Year 2019-20 was Rs 24,61,712 crore.
- Profit of 171 profit-making CPSEs stood at Rs 1,38,112 crore in Financial Year 2019-20.
- Loss of 84 loss making CPSEs was Rs 44,817 crore in Financial Year 2019-20.
- Reserves and Surplus of all CPSEs stood at Rs 9,57,579 crore as on March 31, 2020.
- Net Worth of all CPSEs was Rs 12,35,706 crore as on March 31, 2020.
- Dividend declared/paid by 105 CPSEs in Financial Year 2019-20 stood at Rs 72,136 crore.
- Contribution of all CPSEs to Central Exchequer by way of excise duty, custom duty, GST, corporate tax, interest on Central Government loans, dividend, and other duties and taxes stood at Rs 3,76,425 crore in Financial Year 2019-20.
- Foreign Exchange Earnings of CPSEs through export of goods and services stood at Rs 1,21,756 crore in Financial Year 2019-20.
The complete PE Survey Report 2019-20 can be accessed at https://dpe.gov.in/.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Singapore on Cooperation in the field of Personnel Management and Public Administration
The Union Cabinet chaired by chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Singapore on Cooperation in the field of Personnel Management and Public Administration.
Salient Features:
The MoU aims at improving the current system of governance, particularly in the areas of Workforce, Workplace and Jobs, Public Service Delivery, Human Resource Management, Public Sector Reform, Leadership/ Talent Development and E-Governance/Digital Government.
Benefits:
The MoU will provide a framework for cooperation between India and Singapore in the field of Public Administration and Governance Reforms.
It aims at achieving excellence in public administration, good governance and public service reform, which in turn, would ensure and promote greater public accountability.
It also aims to bring about innovative best practices, so as to achieve excellence in public administration in the context of improving online public service delivery.
Ministry of Defence
Exercise Mitra Shakti- VII Closing Ceremony
The seventh edition of the joint training exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, Exercise Mitra Shakti concluded on 14 December at Aundh Military Station, Pune. Contingent comprising of 120 personnel each from Sri Lankan and Indian Army participated in the exercise. The two week long exercise had commenced on 01 December and focused on enhancing interoperability for developing the capability to undertake joint operations in counter terrorism operations under United Nations mandate. The themes chosen for the joint training exercise were both, live & contemporary affecting both the nations, the joint training exercise concluded with a 48 hour long culmination exercise which was witnessed by Senior Military & Defence officials of the Indian Army as well as representatives of the Sri Lankan Army. The culmination exercise showcased the standards achieved by the contingents during the joint training & demonstrated the commitment as well as capabilities of the participating armies in working closely with each other to maintain world peace under the United Nations flag.
Both the contingents displayed high degree of professionalism while practicing various counter terrorism drills which has been a great learning experience for both the contingents. The standards displayed by the contingents delivered a strong & reassuring message with regards to the intent, commitment & capability of both the armies towards maintaining world peace & upholding the mandate of United Nations.
The conduct of such bilateral military training exercises is an important step to uphold the values of peace, prosperity, international brotherhood & trust. The exercise was a grand success and has taught valuable lessons to the troops of the participating countries.
Col Aman Anand
PRO (Army
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Ministry of Science & Technology
TIFAC explores best methods to revive Indian economy post COVID-19
White paper to strategize revival of post-COVID 19 Indian economy
The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council , an autonomous technology think tank under the Department of Science & Technology , Government of India, by virtue of its mandate of thinking for future, is preparing a white paper to strategize revival of post-COVID 19 Indian economy.
This document would mainly focus on strengthening Make in India initiatives, commercialization of Indigenous technology, developing a technology-driven transparent Public Distribution System , efficient rural health care delivery, reduction of import, adoption of emerging technology domains like AI, Machine Learning, Data Analytics and many more. It will be soon submitted to the decision-making authorities of the Government.
The entire globe has come under one umbrella to fight against COVID-19. The pandemic outbreak is affecting the human life of both developed and emerging economies, with the impact spread over almost all sectors ranging from manufacturing to trade, transport, tourism, education, healthcare, and so on. The extent of the economic impact will depend on how the pandemic outbreak unfolds and also the containment strategy of any Nation.
"Navigating the way ahead with the COVID-19 virus requires precise insights into the actions that minimize adverse impact on human health while maximizing the socio-economic well being. Thus, an analysis of desirable technology-related interventions and their impacts in different sectors is one important piece of information for decision making", said Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST.
TIFAC’s team of scientists from a range of disciplines is exploring the best methods to revive the Indian economy and reduce the impact on it post COVD 19. They are also designing future strategies to face similar situations.
India, so far, has taken a set of well thought out steps to control this pandemic, lockdown at the initial stage being a significant one. All Government departments, research institutions, civil society bodies, and, more importantly, citizens of India have joined hands to offset the impact of COVID 19 to the maximum extent possible. This recent effort by TIFAC will help in showing a way ahead to strengthen the Indian economy post-COVID-19.
[For more details: Nirmala Kaushik, nirmala.kaushik[at]gmail[dot]com, Mob: 9811457344]
Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes 24.4 kg gold smuggled from Bangladesh in Operation Eastern Gateway
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  launched an operation codenamed ‘Operation Eastern Gateway’, which involved developing the intelligence over a substantial period of time to bust the smuggling modus operandi. A syndicate based in Bangladesh, Tripura, Assam and West Bengal was smuggling huge quantities of Gold from Bangladesh to India through Indo- Bangladesh border in the state of Tripura.
In the operation, various teams of DRI were strategically placed at different locations in the states of West Bengal, Assam and Tripura including at Indo-Bangladesh border so that the modus operandi used by the smuggling syndicate could be unearthed.
On the basis of intelligence inputs, 8 persons of the syndicate were identified and in a simultaneous and well-coordinated operation at three locations all the 8 persons were apprehended red-handed.
The team at Siliguri apprehended four persons, while they were travelling in a train from Badarpur Junction in Assam to Sealdah, at Dalkhola Railway Station in West Bengal and recovered 90 gold strips from their possession, collectively weighing 18.66 kg, valued at Rs 10.66 crores. These strips were hidden in specially-tailored waist belts worn by each of them.
Gold weighing 18.66 kg seized by DRI team at Siliguri
Simultaneously, the team at Agartala apprehended one person who was driving a four-wheeler near Indo-Bangladesh border near Agartala and found two gold bars weighing 2.25 kg, valued at Rs 1.30 crore, clandestinely concealed in a special cavity built under the driver side front door.
Yet another team of DRI at Karimganj in Assam apprehended three persons while they were travelling in a train from Agartala to Sealdah and seized eight bars of gold weighing 3.50 kg valued at Rs 2.03 crore, from their possession.
Gold and vehicle seized by DRI teams at Agartala and Karimganj
In the said operation, smuggled gold cumulatively weighing 24.4 kg, valued at approx. Rs 14 crore, was seized and all the eight apprehended persons were arrested. Further investigations are going on. The all-India gold seizure by DRI in this financial year has crossed 1,000 kg.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Benefits of MSP to Farmers
Government announces Minimum Support Price  to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce and encourage higher investment and production. The Government in its Union Budget for 2018-19 had announced the pre-determined Principle to keep MSP at levels of one and half times of the cost of production. Accordingly, Government has increased the MSP for all mandated Kharif, Rabi and other commercial crops with a return of atleast 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from the agricultural year 2018-19 onwards.
Cost of production is one of the important factors in the determination of MSP. While recommending its price policy, the CACP considers all costs in a comprehensive manner. CACP projects the cost of cultivation for the current year on the basis of Composite Input Price Index  which measures the change in input price over previous year. The CIPIs are based on latest prices of major inputs like human labour, bullock labour, machine labour, fertilisers and manures, seeds, pesticides and irrigation as per data available from different ministries/ departments.
Over 894.19 LMT of paddy procured on MSP for Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, as against 770.93 LMT of corresponding figure last year, benefitting about 131.13 lakh farmers.
Around 433.44 LMT wheat procured for Rabi Marketing Season  2021-22, against the last year corresponding purchase of 389.93 LMT, benefitting about 49.20 Lakh farmers.
As on 27th November, 2021, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 8.37 LMT of Pulses and Oilseeds having MSP value of Rs. 4,65,688.44 lakh benefitting about 5.28 lakh farmers.
Government has taken a “multi pronged approach” to increase the farmer’s income and has been implementing/reorienting various schemes for the same which include Soil Health Card , Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi , Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana , e-NAM, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan’  among others.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
“Diseases among livestock”
The National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease  and Brucellosis has been approved by the Cabinet on 31.05.2019 as a new Central Sector Scheme for a total outlay of Rs.13,343.00 crore for five years . An amount of Rs2683.00 crore is proposed for the Financial Year 2019-20. It has the following components:
Foot and Mouth Disease  control programme: The programme envisages 100% vaccination coverage of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs at six months interval in the entire country. Further, animals will be identified using unique animal identification ear tags. The programme also includes de-worming of targeted population of livestock twice a year as one of its activities.
Brucellosis control programme: The programme envisages 100% vaccination coverage of female cattle and buffalo calves  once in a life time.
This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
PM-KISAN SCHEME – More than 2 crore Small/Marginal Farmers have benefited so far
With a view to augment the income of farmers by providing income support to all Small and Marginal landholder farmers’ families across the country and to enable them to take care of expenses related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs, the Central Government had started a new Scheme on 01.02.2019 namely, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAmman Nidhi . The Scheme aims to provide a payment of Rs.6000/- per year for the farmers’ families with cultivable land holding upto 2 hectare, subject to certain exclusions.
This Rs.6000/- would be released in three 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000/- over the year. The scheme is effective from 1.12.2018. The amount is being released by the Central Government directly into the bank accounts of the eligible farmers under Direct Benefit Transfer mode for a period of 4 months ending on 31.03.2019. Around 12.5 crore farmers across the country will be benefitted from this Scheme. Under the scheme, the responsibility of identification of the eligible beneficiaries rests with the State Government.
The Scheme was formally launched at national level by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on the 24th February, 2019 at Gorakhpur, UP. The first installment for the first 4-month period, financial benefits of Rs.2000/- were released to about 1.01 crore farmers in the first trench entailing fund release of Rs. 2021 crore.
The scheme is being implemented efficiently and the first installment are released expeditiously. Till date, the benefit has already been released to more than 2 crore small and marginal farmers. The State-wise number of beneficiaries, which have been transferred the 1st installment is enclosed. It is a continuous scheme and the aim of the Department is to cover all eligible small and marginal farmer families.
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Ministry of Railways
Indian Railway operates 366 “Shramik Special” trains till 10th May, 2020  across the country
Passengers are being given free meals and water
Trains being run by Railways only after concurrence is given both by the State which is sending the passengers and the State which is receiving them
Social distancing being observed
Around 1200 passengers travel in each of these “Shramik Special” trains
Subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains,Indian Railways had decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains.
As on 10th May 2020, a total of 366 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country, in which 287 trains had reached its destination and 79 trains are in transit.
These 287 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh , Bihar , Himachal Pradesh , Jharkhand , Madhya Pradesh , Maharashtra , Odisha , Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh , West Bengal.
These trains have ferried migrants to cities like Tiruchchirappalli, Titlagarh, Barauni, Khandwa, Jagannathpur, Khurda Road, Prayagraj, Chhapra, Balia, Gaya, Purnia, Varanasi, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Jaunpur, Hatia, Basti, Katihar, Danapur,Muzzaffarpur, Saharsa etc.
In these Shramik Special Trains, maximum around 1200 passengers can travel observing social distancing. Proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.
President's Secretariat
Press Communique
The President of India administered the Oath of Office to Shri Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose as Chairperson, Lokpal, at a ceremony held today  at 1030 hrs at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Observes the International Day of Yoga 2019
Indian Railways organised the International Day of Yoga today on 21st June, 2019 in Rail Bhavan, all Zonal Railway Headquarters, Divisional Railway Offices, Production Units and Railway Training Institutes and Centres, and all other Railway establishments.
The Union Minister for Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal participated in the Yoga session along with Union Minister of Law & Justice, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad on the occasion of International Day of Yoga at Lodhi Garden, New Delhi.
Speaking on this occasion, Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “I congratulate the countrymen on the occasion of International Yoga Day. Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s initiative of adopting 21st June as Yoga Day got its support from United Nations and 21st June is recognised as International Yoga Day across the world. Hon’ble Prime Minister has asserted that we have to cure illness as well as we need to focus on wellness of countrymen. Emphasis is on preventive healthcare. By practicising Yoga, one can remain healthy and fit without incurring any cost. I think Yoga is beneficial for the society at large.”
Minister of State of Railways, Shri Suresh C. Angadi participated in the Yoga session on the occasion of International Day of Yoga at Paschim Vihar, New Delhi.
Speaking on this occasion, Shri Angadi said that Yoga provides a Healthy body, stable mind, spirit of oneness. On this day I urge everyone to make yoga an integral part of your lives.
A Yoga session was organized at Officers Club in New Delhi which was attended by Railway Board Members and senior officials of Railways.